10 Life Lessons We Can Take From Auto Accident Lawyers
What to Do If You Get in an Auto Accident
A car accident could be a devastation. auto accident attorney chicago could result in loss of income and benefits, large cost out of pocket, and severe injuries that require extensive treatment.
You can assist yourself and others by remaining secure if you're a victim of a car crash or a witness to one.
Beware of Distractions
If you are distracted while driving, it could be a major risk to your safety and the safety of others. eating, texting, and grooming are some of the most common distractions.
Distracted drivers can cause serious injuries or even death to the people near them. This is because distracted driving may cause drivers to disregard dangers and unexpected complications that are in front of them or to miss important road warning signs.
Distractions are anything that diverts a driver's attention away from the road and causes them to lose control of their vehicle. They can be both visual and cognitive, and each comes with distinctive characteristics.
Visual distractions are things that distract drivers' attention from the road, for example, using a GPS or looking at a billboard or rubbernecking into an accident. This can be very risky particularly when the driver is traveling at highway speeds, or when they are driving by pedestrians or other vehicles.
Manual distractions can be dangerous, especially when drivers don't pay attention to the road or react quickly. While driving, eating, changing the radio station or reaching for something in the backseat can all be very distracting.
Cognitive distractions are not as obvious but equally deadly type of distractions. These distractions include talking on a phone or singing, or pondering an emotionally charged scenario. They can also be signs of drowsiness that can make it hard for drivers to stay focused on the road.
The best way to avoid distracting behavior while driving is to set good boundaries and practice attentive driving. You can do this by setting rules and following by example.
It is important to remember that distracted driving is danger for everyone, not just teens and drivers who are new. Older people, drowsy drivers and even pets can be distractions for drivers.
If you know someone who is prone to distraction while driving, make sure to talk with them about the importance of keeping their attention on the road, and how to avoid this happening. You can also advise your friend to switch off their phone and put it on "do-not-disturb" mode while they drive.
Keep Your Distance
Maintaining a safe distance to the vehicle in front of you is among of the best things you can do for your car's safety. This can prevent a collision and shield yourself and others around you from harm or death.
There are many ways you can ensure that you're following the correct distance. You can apply the 3-second formula to determine if you're following too closely.
The 3-second rule is based on fact that it takes approximately three seconds to react when a vehicle brakes suddenly. If you're too close to the vehicle in the front of you, you won't have enough time to stop without causing a crash.
This is particularly true for truck drivers who require plenty space to stop safely at a traffic stop. Many accidents involving semis and big rigs are caused by drivers who fail to follow this road rule, which can lead to serious injuries or even death for all involved.
You can also estimate the distance you must follow a vehicle by counting the amount of time it takes to reach a certain place after the car in the front has passed by it. You could do this by locating an overhead road sign, a tree, or any other roadside marker, and observing the car in front of you pass it.
Once you've determined the time it takes for your car to arrive at the spot after the other car passes it, begin counting again. You'll be counting 1-1,000, 21,000, and then 31,000 until you have a gap of three seconds between you and the vehicle ahead.
If you're unable to reach three seconds, increase your following distance gradually until you get there. It could require slowing down to avoid an accident however it's well worth the effort.
The most common rear-end collisions happen when drivers follow the vehicle ahead of them too closely. You can avoid these collisions and others by increasing your following distance.
Avoiding Rear End Collisions
Rear-end collisions rank among the most frequently occurring auto accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, rear-end collisions account for almost a third of all accidents and cause 2,000 deaths annually in the United States.
While front-end collisions can be more deadly, rear end collisions can still cause serious injuries and property damage. Rear-end collisions could also cause soft-tissue injuries like whiplash.
These injuries can cause significant pain in the back, neck and shoulder areas. They may require physical therapy, medical bills, and lost wages to recover from.
The best way to avoid rear-end collisions is to stay away from other vehicles. This means pursuing them at a safe speed and not tailgating them.
You could increase the risk of rear-end collisions when driving too close. This is because you don't have enough time to react to potential hazards such as slower or stopped traffic. The National Safety Council recommends a minimum of three seconds for following distances in vehicles that are primarily passenger vehicles, and greater for larger vehicles.
When road or weather conditions are bad, rear-end collisions are more risky. If you're driving through heavy snow or rain, for example, increase your distance to follow.
Check your rear-view-mirror frequently to avoid a rear end collision. This will depend on how crowded the road is in front of you. This will allow you to determine if a driver behind you has stopped or applied the brakes.
Use your turn signals to change lanes or get away from a lot. This will assist the driver behind you see your vehicle and prevent them from swerving into your direction to hit you.
If you're in a vehicle with children, always make sure you keep them in the back of the vehicle. This will keep them from bouncing around the vehicle or becoming disoriented and distracted while you are driving.
It's also a good idea to put your phone away and not use it while driving. Disturbing conversations on the phone or texting could lead to rear-end collisions.
Making sure your engine is running
The engine in your car could be one of the most important parts for you as a driver, however it could be also be one of the most frustrating parts. If you are involved in an auto accident, the engine of your car may not start immediately after you turn the key or press START.
The issue is difficult to fix or diagnose, so you should take your car in as quickly when the light appears. The lights will illuminate you if your vehicle is experiencing issues in the areas of battery temperature, temperature, alternator, or any other aspect.
If you're having difficulty starting your vehicle following an accident that isn't too serious, it could be due to a malfunctioning switch that cuts the power to the fuel pump. This is designed to protect your car from lighting on fire in the event of an impact but it can also cause damage to your engine if shut off.
It's possible that you are unable to start your car following an accident because your vehicle's engine transmission has stopped working properly. In this case you'll have to seek out a mechanic in order to find out what caused the problem and fix it.
Even if you have a healthy car it is crucial to rev the engine every often to make sure that it is properly lubricated. This can be done by turning the engine on gently and letting it warm for 30 minutes.
When you do this, you're gaining the opportunity to examine all of your vehicle's belts, hoses, air cleaners, and other components to make sure they're in good operating condition. This will increase your gas mileage and help keep your vehicle running smoothly.
This is also a great technique to ensure your tires are properly inflated. When your tires are properly inflated, they will ensure that they can be more stable on the road and decrease the chance of a tire blowout or other damage.